Variety of geranium named &#34;Baroness&#34;

ABSTRACT

`Baroness` has a wine red flower with a deep maroon blotch that appears almost black above a medium green foliage. It has smaller florets, but many more than the other Regal geranium currently on the market. Cutting production and rooting time are much better and lasting quality is improved also. Post harvest time is longer than the current varieties as well.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×domesticum known by the varietal name `Baroness` (OgleveeNo. 416; `Walters Sunrise`, No. 26). The new variety was discovered in aselected breeding program in Hucknall, Nottingham, Great Britain in theearly to mid 1980's. The parentage of the new variety is not known withcertainty but the breeding program of Ernest Walters, deceased, whichextended more than 30 years, is described in a Walters article publishedin Volume 110, Part 8, August 1985, Journal of The Royal HorticulturalSociety. The new variety was first received in the United States in 1986and was asexually reproduced by cuttings at Oglevee, Ltd. inConnellsville, Pa. in 1986. The new variety has been asexuallyreproduced by cuttings at Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. over aseveral year period. It has also been trial and field tested atConnellsville and has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics through successive propagations.

The cultivar when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa.using natural light and 60° F. night, 68° F. day and 71° F. vent, has aresponse time of 14 weeks from a rooted cutting to flowering in a 6 inchpot. The response time was determined on plants grown in soilless mediaemploying constant fertilizer 150-200 parts per million of nitrogen andpotassium in full light. The rooted cuttings were potted on Nov. 2, 1992and flowerd on Feb. 8, 1993.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The top photograph of the accompanying photographic drawing illustratesthe inflorescence of the new cultivar, the color being as nearly true aspossible with color illustrations of this type.

The bottom photograph of the accompanying photographic drawingillustrates the entire plant of the new cultivar, the color being asnearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions carried out by Oglevee Ltd. inConnellsville, Pa. The plant history was taken on six week plantsblossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and the color readingswere taken indoors under 200-220 foot candles of fluorescent cool whitelight. Color references are primarily to The RHS Color Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London.

THE PLANT

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×domesticum.

Commercial.--Regal geranium.

Form: Upright mound shaped habit.

Height.--25-27 cm from media surface.

Growth.--Controlled strong growth.

Strength: Continuous flowering; fast rooting.

Foliage: Stalked leaf attachment.

Leaves:

Size.--8.5-10.0 cm across at the widest point.

Shape.--Depressed ovate, truncate base.

Margin.--Serrately lobed.

Texture.--Leathery, slightly pubescent.

Color.--Top: Green Group 137C. Bottom: Green Group 138B.

Ribs and veins.--Palmate venation. Color: Yellow/Green Group 146B.

Petioles:

Color.--Yellow/Green Group 146C.

Length.--3.5-6.0 cm in length.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow/Green Group 146C.

Internodes.--1.0-3.0 cm in length.

THE BUD

Shape: Elliptical.

Size:

Umbel.--2.0-2.5 cm across (no color showing).

Individual bud.--0.5-1.0 cm across (no color showing).

INFLORESCENCE

Blooming habit: Many small florets opening slowly to form a fulllong-lasting flowerhead.

Size.--8.5-10.0 cm across.

Borne.--Florets on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle.

Florets:

Form.--Cupped.

Color.--Top: Red/Purple Group 57B; Blotch on upper two petalsGreyed/Purple Group 187A; Blotch on lower three petals Red/Purple Group59B.

Petals.--5 petals; margin entire; separate not united.

Size.--5.5-6.5 cm across.

Texture and appearance.--Smooth and satiny; appearance from a distanceis a wind red flower with a deep maroon blotch that appears almost blackabove medium green foliage.

Petaloids:

Quantity.--None present.

Pedicel:

Length.--2.5-3.0 cm.

Color.--Yellow/Green Group 146B.

Peduncle: 4.5-6.0 cm in length.

Color.--Yellow/Green Group 146B.

Disease resistance: None known.

Lasting quality: Continuous blooming; non-shattering.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Anthers.--3.0-4.0 mm in length.

Filaments.--1.0-1.5 cm in length. Color: White.

Pollen.--Golden Brown.

Pistils:

Number.--One; 5 to 7 parted.

Length.--1.5-2.0 cm in length.

Stigma.--5.-7 parted; Color: Red/Purple Group 60C.

Style.--1.0-1.2 cm in length; Color: Red/Purple Group 60C.

Ovaries:

Color.--Light Green, very pubescent; 5.0-6.0 mm in length.

Fruit: None observed.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

`Baroness` has a wine red flower with a deep maroon blotch that appearsalmost black above a medium green foliage. It has smaller florets, butmany more than the other Regal geraniums currently on the market.Cutting production and rooting time are much better and lasting qualityis improved also. Post harvest time is longer than the current varietiesas well.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plantsubstantially as shown and described.